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    Shadows of the Heavens
    Shadows of the Heavens
    Shadows of the Heavens
    Ebook598 pages8 hours

    Shadows of the Heavens

    By Gareth Lewis

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    Not even half-way into its first century the empire is riven by strife hidden behind a polite facade. With political factions vying for imperial influence, regional politics subverting imperial law, and society still recovering from recent wars, how much is due to mythic beings many no longer believe in?
    A scholar's death triggers a series of events which could unravel the tenuous empire, drawing into the deadly game a young enforcer searching for his childhood friend; an examiner who desperately wants to avoid politics; a masked woman whose curiosity could cost her everything; and a prince with nothing better to do.

    This volume collects the fifteen part story.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGareth Lewis
    Release dateOct 1, 2013
    ISBN9781301267415
    Shadows of the Heavens
    Author

    Gareth Lewis

    Gareth Lewis has written a number of novels and shorter works in a few genres, including fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers. A programmer, he has a degree in computer studies, and lives in South Wales.

    Read more from Gareth Lewis

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      Book preview

      Shadows of the Heavens - Gareth Lewis

      Shadows of the Heavens

      Collected Edition

      Gareth Lewis

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2013 Gareth Lewis

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Any piracy of this work shall result in the forfeiture of the pirate's soul to the author. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Contents

      Part 1 - Blood in the Forest

      Part 2 - The Shadow's Bride

      Part 3 - Song of Shadows

      Part 4 - The Dance of Masks

      Part 5 - Games of Shadow

      Part 6 - Shadows of the Empire

      Part 7 - Twisted Nature

      Part 8 - Curse of Hearts

      Part 9 - A Hunt for Shadows

      Part 10 - Savage Justice

      Part 11 - The Bride's Shadow

      Part 12 - Savage Mirror

      Part 13 - Spirit Hunt

      Part 14 - Tears of the Gods

      Part 15 - A Judgement of Shadows

      Appendix 1 - Map of the Empire

      Appendix 2 - History of the Empire

      Appendix 3 - The Thousand Little Gods

      Part 1 - Blood in the Forest

      The trickle of water over the stones almost lulled Adajo to sleep as they sat watching it pass. A yawn from Kuon told him he wasn't the only one affected.

      They'd been there hours, almost half the day, and would remain at least until the examiner arrived from Song of the Sun. The city was over an hour away at the fastest run, and they had no way of knowing how soon an examiner would be available. They could be here all night.

      At least the weather hadn't yet turned, remaining comfortable. It'd get cooler at night. He hoped something would happen before, since Kuon – as senior enforcer – would pull rank so he could get home for dinner.

      Approaching footsteps drew their attention, from the wrong direction to raise their hopes. The inn's cook, Tsen, approached along the woodland trail, a bundle under one arm. He eyed the scene, slowing as he got closer.

      'Nothing to see,' said Kuon. 'Move along.'

      'Nothing to see?' said Tsen, taking a wide detour about the obstruction. 'You've noticed the dead body, haven't you?'

      'Don't get too close, and move along about your business,' said Kuon.

      Tsen opened his mouth to say more, but didn't get the chance.

      'Move along citizen,' Kuon said in his official voice.

      'Okay, Kuon, keep your face on.' Tsen shook his head as he moved on. 'Assume we'll see you tonight?'

      Kuon didn't respond, his irritation hidden behind the white enforcer's mask. With only a few enforcers in the village the mask offered little anonymity. It and their dark green uniforms proffered a degree of authority, with the mask serving to obscure their rank so they could address any circle below the most senior of magistrates as an equal. Not that there were any of that rank nearby.

      While it didn't bother Adajo – it didn't interfere with their job enforcing the peace – Kuon was occasionally irked by the lack of regard shown them.

      Muttering, Kuon rose and stretched his legs. 'Why oh why must we sit guarding this idiot, who's starting to smell? Old Jaevo would've said carry 'im back to the village and let the examiner look at 'im there when he bothers turning up.'

      Jaevo, the previous local administrator, had died. His replacement, Munzo, disliked the posting, and had an aversion to venturing into the wilds. His definition of wilds was anywhere beyond sight of a building. Officially he should've observed the scene until the examiner arrived, but contented himself with strictly following the dictate that the body shouldn't be moved.

      'I thought you were glad to get out of patrolling?' said Adajo.

      'That was hours ago.'

      'Before you missed a meal.'

      'By Uleth, yes. How are we supposed to perform our duty weakened from starvation?'

      Adajo's mask hid his smile. 'Didn't you have breakfast this morning?'

      'Why d' you think I haven't collapsed already? This magnificent physique requires regular reinforcement.' While slightly wider than Adajo, Kuon hadn't yet reached a point which could be called fat – though not from lack of trying – and his attitude gave him the appearance of being permanently at ease.

      He returned to his rocky perch with a sigh. 'You realise that when he turns up, the examiner'll probably need one of us to accompany him.'

      'Which'll be me,' said Adajo.

      'Quick to volunteer there, aren't you?'

      'Stating the obvious. I can't see you risking missing another meal.'

      'No, I think you were a bit quick. Looking to become an examiner?'

      'Sure. We could do with one around here. Might work out who goes eating all the pies from the...'

      'One time! One time I overindulged, and I never hear the end of it.' He rocked back on his perch.

      Adajo had to admit that learning from an examiner held a certain appeal. Whether he'd want to be one was a different matter.

      More minutes passed before they heard footsteps, this time from the village path. One of the village boys appeared, leading the examiner. The examiner stopped. They spoke, the boy ran back towards the village, and the examiner advanced.

      They rose to meet him.

      He wore a white mask similar to theirs, its features more angular – slightly off-putting – which worked with his black uniform to present an imposing figure. While enforcers maintained the peace and dealt with simple violations of accepted behaviour as defined in the Book of Law, serious violations without an obvious culprit required an examiner to investigate.

      Water Dances on the Rocks was too small a village to have an examiner of its own, having too few violations serious enough. It currently had only three enforcers. They intended taking on a fourth when someone wanted the position, if only due to the area they patrolled. Li was currently investigating an incident at one of the outlying farms, and it would take him most of the day to travel there and back. Longer if the situation warranted it. That wasn't even half way to the edge of their jurisdiction.

      The examiner focussed on the body as he approached, only turning to offer a nod of greeting as he halted a few paces from the deceased.

      Adajo felt himself stand a bit straighter. He didn't think it was just the uniform and mask. The examiner exuded a calmness which made Adajo feel self-consciously lax, as though he should have been standing guard over the body.

      A glance showed Kuon seemed less affected by the presence, or at least not in the same way. He was defensive, taking accusation from the calmness.

      'What are the facts?' said the examiner, his voice calm as his eyes scanned the area surrounding the victim.

      'He's a scholar from the university in Song of the Sun,' said Kuon. 'Name's Lanu Kilipa. He's here with another scholar, Sisama Varnu, investigating the ruins. Varnu found the body on his way there this morning. Probably moved it, but nobody else's touched it.'

      'Where is he?'

      'Back at the inn. Recovering from the shock.'

      'When was Kilipa last seen?'

      'Less than half an hour before, by Varnu. They'd set out together after breakfast, but Varnu forgot some tools and had to go back. He found Kilipa like this. It's not a frequently travelled path, and could go days without being used.'

      The examiner crouched to inspect the body, initially with his gaze.

      Shifting impatiently, Kuon broke the silence. 'You don't need both of us here, do you? Our other enforcer's out at the farms, so no one's patrolling the village.' Not that he'd do much patrolling.

      'You may attend your duties. My thanks for your aid.'

      Grunting, Kuon set out towards Water Dances on the Rocks, giving Adajo a glance in passing.

      Moving for a better view of the examiner's inspection, Adajo watched him delicately check Kilipa's pouches. A prod resulted in a muffled tinkle of coins. 'Robbery seems unlikely,' said the examiner.

      'Not many bandits,' said Adajo. 'Never this close to the village.' It offered few pickings, although it sometimes hosted a few driven from richer lands. They were rare, and there hadn't been any in a while. A few seemed to think the depths of the Forest of Tears offered sanctuary. Those stupid or foolhardy enough to venture too far in were rarely heard from again.

      The Forest was the last true wilderness within the empire, nothing like the maintained woodlands in more civilised parts. Even locals rarely went far into the Forest proper, limiting themselves to the lighter woodlands bordering it. Generally you'd have to go a way into it before it got dangerous, but it had plenty of depth, taking days to reach the centre if you were stupid enough to try. Adajo wasn't sure he believed the stories of rakshaas living in the heart of the forest, but the known fauna was sufficient discouragement.

      'Your observations of his wounds?' said the examiner, not looking up.

      This caught Adajo off guard, and he rushed to marshal his thoughts. Obviously he'd been burned, but the examiner would expect more than that. 'The burning is confined,' he said, steeling himself as he again inspected the damage to Kilipa's chest and face. 'It burned away the clothes in front of the wound, but not beyond that.'

      'And?'

      Focussing on the wound, Adajo had trouble seeing anything other than a badly damaged person. 'I'm sorry,' he said, averting his eyes.

      'The burning appears even,' said the examiner. 'The attack struck an area around a foot wide and a foot and a half high with a single blast, powerful enough to cause these burns. The body shows no sign of struggle, or of his arms being raised defensively. Nor is there evidence of him having instinctively tried to smother it, implying it killed instantly. The evenness of the damage says he was struck straight, rather than at an angle.'

      'What could cause such damage?'

      The examiner didn't reply, leaving Adajo with the obvious answer: an invocation.

      *

      Varnu sat on the end of the bed, eyes wide and still shaken. In his mid-thirties, he had a tall, lean angularity, enhanced by the square moustache and the worried frown perched on his brow. The extent of the room's furnishings beyond the bed was a small cabinet to the side, and a table and chair by it. Adajo glanced at the neat stack of books and notes, an old carved rod holding them in place.

      'Describe this morning's events,' said the examiner. His voice became soothing as he sat facing Varnu.

      After taking a moment to compose himself, Varnu responded in a shaky voice. 'We had breakfast downstairs, then made our way towards the ruins. Part way I realised I'd forgotten a brush, so I came back to fetch it while Kilipa continued on. I... his body wasn't far beyond where I'd left him. I'd been maybe fifteen or twenty minutes. It couldn't have been much more.'

      'What are you doing at the ruins?'

      Varnu glanced up, taking a moment to focus on the question. 'Investigating some murals. A book which recently came to my attention has passages which may shed new light on sections which have never been deciphered. I discovered the book and made the connections, but Kilipa had studied the local histories, so I asked his assistance in investigating.'

      'How was the investigation proceeding?'

      'We'd started to get something understandable,' said Varnu, his tensions easing as he engaged in a familiar topic.

      Adajo leaned against the wall, listening to the scholar discussing their findings, and studying how the examiner seemed to have guided the interrogation to put Varnu at ease. He didn't fidget as much. The distraction didn't last, as he soon recalled what had happened. He looked tired rather than anxious, and the examiner moved the conversation on again.

      'How long have you been here, in Water Dances on the Rocks?'

      'Ten days, myself. Kilipa came a few days before me, to scout the site while I finished some preliminary research.'

      'Had you any trouble with the locals?'

      Varnu glanced briefly at Adajo, answering awkwardly. 'No, I haven't had much to do with anyone here, and nobody seems bothered by our presence.'

      The examiner stared at him longer than the scholar was comfortable with. 'And Kilipa? Did he have anything to do with anyone here?'

      'We've been busy during our time here. He had work to...' he trailed off, and sighed before running a hand through his hair. 'I believe Kilipa may have been... involved with someone.' Varnu spoke with obvious distaste, and was compelled to continue doing so by the examiner's silence. 'Most evenings I spend making notes, but on a few occasions I've seen him going for a walk. Please understand, I find it hard to speak poorly of a colleague, and only do so now in hopes it may be of use, but I believe he may have been calling on someone. And since his fiancé is unlikely to venture this far from the city, it... I'm sure you can see the likely implication.'

      The examiner nodded. 'Did you see which direction he headed?'

      'He headed north the few times I saw him go. The last time was last night. In fact, now I think about it, I'm not entirely sure he wasn't in the same clothes at breakfast. Anyway, last night I happened to be out for a stroll when I saw him, although I don't believe he saw me. He was headed east, towards Brass Rings, but he could have been taking a roundabout route to avoid suspicion.'

      'Thank you,' said the examiner, rising. 'I may have further questions.'

      'Are you sure,' said Varnu. 'I intended returning to Song of the Sun. After this I don't feel entirely safe. And without a translator I can't do much, were I willing to return to the ruins.'

      The examiner held him in a steady gaze. 'Remain available at the university should I require your assistance.'

      'Of course.'

      They left the nervous scholar, walking a short way before the examiner spoke. 'Brass Rings?'

      'A few houses about a mile outside the village. There's only one single woman there and I can't see him going to see her. Not because he wanted to, anyway.' The examiner held his gaze. Adajo felt irritation at being regarded as a witness. Suppressing it, he explained. 'Tsorina is an unofficial apothecary. He could have been going to her for medicine, although Varnu didn't mention any illness. If Kilipa had been involved with a local, well, Tsorina offers other remedies.'

      The examiner nodded. 'Lead on.'

      *

      The silence as they walked made Adajo uncomfortable. Not in the way that he needed to fill the silence, as the scholar had. It was more his curiosity over how the examiner worked. Not to get promoted, as Kuon claimed, but to be able to learn things for himself.

      Curiosity got the better of him before they were half way there.

      'Do you think this will lead anywhere?' he asked. 'I can't see anyone here being able to do what was done to him. Well, maybe Tsorina could've concocted something, though ambushing someone doesn't seem likely. She'd be more likely to embarrass him publicly.' Aware he'd started to babble, Adajo shut up.

      'It seems unlikely,' said the examiner. 'For the moment we gather facts, and this is where they lead us.'

      'And then? When we have the facts?'

      'We determine which are true. And investigate why those that aren't, aren't.'

      'You mean work out who's lied to us.'

      'Lied, or unknowingly passed false information. Or even why someone would provide too much information.'

      Adajo stared at him. 'You suspect Varnu told us this for a reason?'

      'I'm unsure. He proved quickly distracted from his grief. It may be nothing, but his response felt wrong.'

      'You said he could leave.'

      'He'll only return to the city,' said the examiner. 'Had I told him to remain, he may have panicked. Leaving the city would invite suspicion, so while he believes himself clear he should be easy to find.'

      'Okay,' said Adajo, considering his own impression of the scholar. He'd seemed distraught, and it had felt odd that he should worry about being attacked in the inn because his colleague had been attacked in the forest. He'd put it down to being in a strange environment and wanting to return to the safety of the familiar.

      An unruly clutch of cobbled-together buildings came into view as they passed through the outer arms of the enclosing woods. Considered an eyesore by some, Brass Rings had been the original heart of the settlement when it had been more spread out, and the few buildings still standing showed their age. They were usually inhabited by those unable to afford someplace in the village proper.

      'Tsorina can be prickly,' he said.

      'Do you believe it would be better for you to question her?' said the examiner.

      'To be honest, it'd be better for me if you did the questioning and I stayed out of sight.' He glanced at the examiner, detecting no hint of humour through the mask. 'I just wanted to warn you.'

      The examiner nodded.

      The first knock went unanswered. Adajo had knocked firmly, not wanting to show hesitation after what he'd said. The second knock also went unanswered, and Adajo considered how best to locate her. She could be out at a farm, and he doubted her neighbours would know where. He almost felt relief at missing her – even if it only delayed the encounter – until the voice came from behind them.

      'If you break the door with your battering, you're replacing it.'

      They turned to face her. As tall as Adajo, not far below the examiner, her hawk-like nose would have been her most prominent feature had it not been so close to those eyes. They scanned her visitors with that look he'd never been able to decipher, but took as measured disdain. Her long black hair hung unconventionally loose, flowing around her back, and she'd have been striking if she weren't so intimidating. Even the older people in the village were respectful of her, though she couldn't be more than five years older than Adajo. He had no intention of asking her exact age.

      'What do you want,' said Tsorina, pushing past with a bundle under one arm. She left the door open behind her, and Adajo reluctantly followed her in.

      'One of the visiting scholars,' said Adajo. 'Kilipa. He... It's been suggested he visited you.' He tried to maintain an official tone, more for her than the examiner. She unsettled him. She'd only moved there a few years ago, rumours saying her family – farmers from the east – had thrown her out for unknown indiscretions. Her skills with medicine ensured she was welcome, especially since they'd been without a herbalist for a couple of years.

      Setting her bundle down she turned and waited expectantly. 'That wasn't a question, you realise.'

      Adajo controlled his irritation, speaking calmly. 'Is it true?'

      'What happened to him?' she said.

      The news probably hadn't reached here yet. Maybe she'd been out of earshot a while. Or maybe she was playing with him. 'He's dead.'

      'Accident?' Her expression didn't flicker.

      'No,' said Adajo, almost cursing himself as he realised he'd let her take over the questioning. 'Is it true?'

      'That he came here? Yes.'

      'What did he want?'

      Her eyes held a sharp mirth as she regarded him. 'I'm sure you can guess. But tell me, why are you asking the questions, and not the examiner?' She glanced dismissively at him. 'I thought that was his job. Is he just there to intimidate?' He didn't appear to have that effect. 'Or is he afraid I'll be too prickly?'

      Adajo was glad the mask hid his face.

      'What did he wish from you?' said the examiner.

      'You speak, then,' said Tsorina, with a faint smile. 'He'd gotten friendly with someone local. A bit friendlier than he'd apparently intended. Not sure why he came rather than her, but that's their business.'

      'Do you know who she is?' said the examiner.

      'No shutting you up now, is there? No, I don't know. I've heard he's been around Stone Walking Fish.' She returned her gaze to Adajo. 'So I wouldn't be the best person to ask.'

      'What time did he leave?' said the examiner.

      Tsorina shrugged. 'He was here maybe ten minutes. It's not as though I don't keep a batch mixed.'

      'Thank you for your assistance.' With a faint bow the examiner turned and strode from the house.

      Adajo followed, feeling Tsorina's eyes on his back. He avoided meeting them as he pulled the door behind him. The feeling of her gaze following him didn't ease until well after he'd passed from sight.

      *

      The sun had begun its lazy descent as they travelled east of the village, joining the trail leading towards Stone Walking Fish. They came into view of the small, forest-encircled lake at the heart of the fishing hamlet.

      The examiner spoke, jerking Adajo out of his discomfort. 'You have a problem with our destination?'

      'What?' Adajo glanced at him. 'No, I... It's just they're not to open to outsiders, and while I grew up there, the mask can cause problems.'

      'With your family?'

      Adajo met his steady gaze, before reluctantly looking away. 'My uncle, Jin, wasn't happy I chose this profession.'

      'Why did you?'

      He hesitated, uncertain how to respond.

      'My apologies,' said the examiner. 'The job makes one question everything.'

      'I understand,' said Adajo. He was left further off balance by the glint of humanity in his temporary partner.

      'Are there many in the community who could have been involved with Kilipa?' said the examiner.

      'Only a few I can think of. Who aren't married.'

      'Let's not limit ourselves,' said the examiner. 'How well do you know them?'

      'Reasonably. None are my age, but it's a small community. Although it's been over a year since I became an enforcer, and I haven't been here often.'

      'Would they still talk to you?'

      'To a degree. My uncle would be the best to ask. And the most discreet.'

      'If not with them, with whom did you spend your youth?'

      Adajo was again wrong-footed by a question having nothing to do with the investigation. 'Li, the other enforcer, grew up on a nearby farm. We became friends in our teens. Before that...' He hesitated again, unsure if he wanted to finish the thought and get a funny look. But he'd started, so had to say something. It might as well be the truth. 'Aethrie.'

      The examiner glanced at him. 'An odd name.'

      'She was a water spirit,' said Adajo, a faint challenge in his tone.

      'Was?' said the examiner, apparently unable to stop himself.

      'I was twelve when she stopped coming. They can be fickle. I know it's not fashionable to believe they exist these days, the lesser spirits and suchlike.'

      'I know they exist,' said the examiner. 'I fought durthak during the final hunt.'

      Adajo couldn't help staring. The final hunt had been the scouring of the durthak from the lands around the Shadowspine mountains a dozen years ago. The examiner had been a soldier.

      He didn't get the chance to push the subject as the ramshackle structures came into view. He felt the customary tightening of the stomach. At least his uncle should be restrained while they weren't alone, although he gave harsh looks rather than harsh words.

      Taking a side path they approached his uncle's place on the edge of the settlement. Not that he expected to avoid being spotted by the neighbours. At this time of day most would be in from the lake, and he indeed found his uncle sat out working on the catch. Nearly finished, they'd go to the village soon, the second lot of the day. With the days starting to cool, it'd soon enough be down to one lot a day, and a harsh freeze could mean nothing leaving the village.

      Jin focussed on the fish, but Adajo had no doubt he'd spotted them. He didn't glance up as he spoke. 'Blessings of the day upon you. What may I help you with?'

      'Blessings of the day upon you, sir,' said the examiner. 'I understand one of the scholars has been visiting Stone Dancing Fish.'

      'Have they? Is this deemed unsuitable?'

      'He's dead,' said Adajo. He hadn't meant to be so blunt, but couldn't help himself. He also couldn't help the sliver of satisfaction at getting his uncle to look up.

      Wiping his hands, his uncle gave them his attention. 'He'd been visiting Gexie.'

      'How did her brother take it?' said Adajo. Xino had a temper, and wasn't shy about showing it.

      'Not happy, but not murderous. He knew the scholar would probably be from a high family, so he'd been pressuring Gexie rather than her suitor.'

      'And?' said Adajo.

      'What makes you think there's an and?'

      'You'd know everything there was to know about the relationship.'

      This drew a frown, but the examiner spoke again.

      'Was it known he made a visit to Tsorina?'

      Jin frowned. 'No. I'm not surprised.' He hesitated, obviously gauging how much to tell. 'There was an argument last night. It got loud, but soon quietened. It wasn't enough to get details, or learn anything new.'

      'Is there anything else you can tell us about their relationship?' said the examiner.

      Jin gave him an even stare. 'If I tell you all I know, can you leave the girl be?'

      'As long as we don't believe we need to bother her,' said the examiner.

      'The scholar seemed desperate to keep the affair quiet. From what I hear he has a fiancé back home. Didn't want her hearing about this. Or her father, anyway.'

      'Do you know who her father is?' said the examiner.

      'Not really. Sounds like someone important. I doubt Gexie knows anything about him either.'

      The examiner nodded. 'Thank you for your assistance.' He turned and left.

      Leaving Adajo to meet his uncle's gaze. 'Thank you.' He quickly followed the examiner.

      *

      The enforcers' barracks was a small, two-storey, blocky building. It had a wide office and a few cells on the ground floor, and a handful of cramped sleeping rooms above, along with a washroom. Only two sleeping rooms had regular occupants, Adajo and Li, one of whom had to be there every night, so it had space enough for the examiner.

      'Varnu left for the city a few hours ago,' Adajo said as he returned to the barracks. The examiner finished his dinner at the table in the middle of the main room. His mask was off, leaving Adajo feeling awkward. Masks weren't usually worn when it was just enforcers present, but he'd only been around the other two, and wasn't certain how to react.

      The examiner's black hair was immaculate, and his strong features remained as impassive as his mask. He wasn't surprised by the news.

      'Suspicious?' asked Adajo.

      'Worth noting. His reasons may be as he claimed.'

      'One of the girls at the inn said he was a bit possessive of a package, didn't want anyone touching it. Most of his stuff he left, said he'd send for it.'

      'Nothing we found in the victim's room appeared of particular value,' said the examiner. They'd checked the room before speaking with Varnu, finding nothing other than clothes and a few notes.

      'I checked it again. Nothing seemed different. Whatever it was must have been in Varnu's room. Presumably something from the ruins. All his notes went with him.'

      'Not necessarily incriminating.'

      Adajo nodded, uncertain where to go now.

      'Myishu Tsotu,' said the examiner. It took a moment for Adajo to realise he'd introduced himself.

      'Zuvei Adajo,' he said. Realising he still wore his mask, he hurriedly removed it.

      Recovering his dinner from the stove, Adajo joined Tsotu at the table.

      'Where should we go next?' said Adajo. 'The ruins?'

      'From what I know of them, finding traces of interest could be difficult.'

      'They're spread out. Over twice the size of the village, and that's just the main area. We may be able to spot where they've been. I doubt they'd have hid their tracks. And someone here probably spied on them out of curiosity.'

      'Anything of interest at the ruins is more than likely now with Varnu or the killer. No, I believe following him back to Song of the Sun may be wise. Arriving early tomorrow afternoon should allow him time to feel we weren't following, and allow news of Kilipa's death to spread. It should mean the shock will have passed when we question people.'

      'We?' said Adajo.

      Tsotu raised an eyebrow. 'Don't you wish to continue the investigation?'

      'Of course. I assumed you'd get your enforcers to help you there.'

      'The murder occurred here. Local knowledge may be required. Can the village do without you for a day or two?'

      'Yes,' said Adajo, trying to control his enthusiasm. He'd never had an excuse to go to the city before, even if it was only a few hours away. It was simply not done without reason. It was the investigation which interested him, though. Learning how an examiner worked was of more interest than his regular duties, which at most comprised of dealing with those who got too drunk. For which he'd soon need to go on patrol.

      With Li not returned today, Kuon would be on his own for at least the morning. At worst, he'd have to stay sober in the evening, and Adajo could live with that. He already got the worst jobs anyway.

      *

      Adajo couldn't help staring at the city. The stories hadn't prepared him. Its size was the first thing. He knew there were bigger places, such as Mirror of Heaven – the capitol of the empire – but his mind couldn't accept the idea of a community whose edges he couldn't even guess from his vantage point. It left him speechless.

      Not that he could afford time to process it, since a messenger summoning Tsotu to the magistrate's office met them on their approach to the city walls. He kept up with the examiner's pace as he gawped.

      In Water Dances on the Rocks two storey buildings were a luxury, and most buildings spread out rather than up. At first he felt comfortable with the single storey houses visible on approaching the city, until he looked at the wall beyond them which enclosed most of the city. The wall was around two storeys tall, and there were buildings beyond which peeked over its battlements. After passing through the gates he found three storey buildings weren't uncommon. It was as though the wall limited their lateral expansion, forcing them up.

      Sections of greenery dotted the streets. They were controlled – unnaturally clean and tidy – and made him miss real plants, which were only a few minutes away.

      The crowds were worse than the buildings, although they gave the uniforms a wide berth. The number of pedestrians threatened to make Adajo light-headed, and he had to control himself from glancing around at everything. He couldn't match Tsotu's calm poise and confident stride.

      The examiner led the way to a rich-looking three storey building a fair way into the city, presumably near the centre. People milled in and out of the front door, again leaving a space so the examiner and enforcer weren't delayed.

      Following Tsotu up stairs wider than the rooms in his uncle's house, Adajo moved closer to the examiner.

      'Should I wait outside?' he asked.

      'Not unless he tells you to,' said Tsotu. 'It's the investigation he wishes to discuss, and you're a part of it.'

      They ascended to the top floor and along a richly decorated corridor whose art he had little time to appreciate. A man rose from a desk before the large doors at the end of the corridor, and ushered them through. This drew looks from those awaiting an audience.

      The magistrate's office was larger than the main room of the barracks back home. Its wide space was occupied primarily by a large desk at the far end, behind which sat the magistrate for Xue province, Zobrek. Balding – naturally rather than aping the current imperial style – his neat, delicate beard and moustache held hints of grey, and he had faint jowls despite his lean frame. In charge of administering the province, he oversaw the subordinate administrators and acted as final court of justice below the imperial court itself.

      Setting aside his work, Zobrek glanced at Adajo before ignoring him.

      Tsotu stood at attention before the desk, inclining his head down to regard the floor. Adajo followed suit, a step behind. While the masks put them on equal social standing with anyone short of imperial magistrates or the highest families, the authority of their posts was distinct from social rank. They still answered to the magistrate, and – to a lesser degree – to senior administrators. The deference was occupational rather than social.

      'Have you determined what happened?' said Zobrek. His deep voice sounded tired despite his controlled tone.

      'Not yet, magistrate,' said the examiner, his voice maintaining its usual calm.

      'Are you aware of the political aspect of the victim?'

      'I'm aware of his family.' Tsotu managed to instil the words with a doubt that was what was meant, without sounding less than confident.

      'You are aware he was engaged?'

      'Yes.'

      'To the daughter of Sobel.'

      'I see,' said Tsotu.

      Zobrek raised an eyebrow. 'What is it you see?'

      Tsotu took his time responding. 'I see that the fiancé of the senior adherent of Rauthon's daughter was killed with unnatural burns.' Rauthon was the spirit of light and learning, often identified with the sun. Invoking fire wouldn't be out of the question for the showier adherents.

      'I see,' said Zobrek. 'I doubt it'll take long for that news to spread. I'm equally confident you'll refrain from stating it so bluntly outside this office, where it could be taken as an accusation.'

      'Of course.'

      'You're familiar with the Lanu family?'

      'A minor house,' said Tsotu. 'Of middling influence here, and less elsewhere in the empire.'

      'They have enough allies to be a problem if an adherency is involved. We must avoid any implication of such without proof. The last thing we need is increased tensions among the high houses and the adherencies.'

      'Do the Lanu family have links with other adherencies?'

      'None of which I'm aware,' said Zobrek. 'I believe the marriage was arranged to save the family's failing fortunes.'

      'Providing Sobel a degree of legitimacy from one of the old families,' said Tsotu. 'Lending him weight in his moves against the bureaucracy.'

      'Quite,' said Zobrek. While a part of the bureaucracy, the magistrate was also the Emperor's representative in the province, and had to be impartial with regards to the political factions. Not that there should be political factions, since the bureaucracy implemented the will of the Emperor. In theory.

      Both social ranking and the bureaucracy dated back well before the current empire, which had been around barely forty years. Elements of social rank had been around before the first empire, the Kuen – which fell thirteen hundred years ago – but wasn't recognisable until the Liou empire nine hundred years ago, when the bureaucracy came into being.

      While the Emperor had made reforms to ensure the laws which governed the land applied equally to all, the high families retained power, mainly due to their wealth. They'd always fought a quiet war with the bureaucracies for power, which had been complicated with the rise of the adherencies over the last century.

      For as long as the thousand little gods had offered powers in exchange for being invoked there had been those who chose one spirit to adopt as their patron, invoking no other. Only relatively recently had they congregated into adherencies, their communion with the spirits supposedly affording them the wisdom to help guide the empire. The wisdoms of the various adherencies often came into conflict, seeing them oppose other adherencies as much as the bureaucracy or the high houses – although relations between some adherencies were stable, ostensibly mirroring relations between the spirits. They'd gained some influence over society, from what Adajo had heard. Presumably that happened in the power centres, as he'd only had experience of their local adherent, Aejna, helping with the crops.

      'Is there evidence indicating Sobel may be involved?' asked Zobrek.

      'It would appear Kilipa was engaged in relations with a local at Water Dances on the Rocks.'

      'How widely known is this?'

      'I'm uncertain. It doesn't appear widely known in the area. The scholar accompanying him, Sisama Varnu, had suspicions. It's unclear how much he knows.'

      'He was unforthcoming?'

      'He appeared to withhold something, which may be unrelated. Given the Sisama family's influence in the province, I haven't yet pushed him.'

      Zobrek was silent a moment. 'Very well. Various parties have shown interest in the incident. While a speedy resolution would be useful, discretion should take priority. Try to limit the more delicate revelations.'

      *

      Kilipa had lived in accommodations on university grounds. While not as small as the barrack's sleeping rooms, it wasn't as spacious as Adajo had expected. Apart from his bed, the room held only a small desk and chair. A few books lay on the desk, but little else decorated the space.

      Adajo's gaze swept over the room, finding little of interest. Tsotu sat reading the books.

      'You read imperial script?' Adajo said before he could catch himself.

      'Yes,' said Tsotu, no offence apparently taken.

      Adajo's curiosity got the better of him, but he managed a less shocked tone. 'Doesn't the law forbid it being known by anyone... who shouldn't know it?' Anyone but bureaucrats or members of the high houses. And none of those would elect to be an enforcer or an examiner.

      While the empire had a single spoken language, its written language was split. The common script was more generally known, used for edicts, contracts, and other documents to be read by anyone. The imperial script was more elite, used for official documents not intended to go beyond the upper bureaucracy, or for most books – which were considered the province of the educated classes.

      'The teaching of it to one of lower rank is a violation,' said Tsotu. 'There is no restriction on learning.'

      Did that mean he'd learnt it unaided? It certainly implied he wouldn't say any more. Discussing personal matter while masked was frowned on.

      'Are they of use?'

      'They detail the little known about the ruins. Mainly suppositions about what they were, descriptions of objects recovered. Nothing unexpected.'

      The examination continued, discovering little of interest. Questioning his colleagues proved equally fruitless. Varnu had apparently had little to do with Kilipa before their joint exploration. It didn't sound as though Kilipa had much to do with his fiancé, most of his time spent in his studies.

      There were no hints of Kilipa being involved in another relationship in the city – with little likelihood he'd had the time – and no one seemed to have heard of his recent tryst.

      Surreptitious queries regarding Varnu revealed little of direct interest. He'd recently returned from a year at the university in Mirror of Heaven and seemed as dedicated to his studies as Kilipa, with fewer friends. No one questioned seemed sure where his current studies were focussed.

      Having exhausted the avenues they could lightly tread at the university – where they were treated as unwelcome intruders who couldn't be expelled, and who didn't take less-than-subtle hints – it was dark when they left the complex. Adajo couldn't help marvel that the campus must be nearly the size of his village.

      He silently followed Tsotu through the streets, curious at their destination but content to let his mind examine what they'd learned for clues. Unsuccessfully.

      Tsotu halted at the end of a street which revealed the temple of Rauthon. A large, expensive looking building, its entrance was topped with the symbol of Rauthon – a five pointed sun.

      'Are you intending to question Sobel?' said Adajo.

      'I'd rather not,' said Tsotu. 'Doing so could exacerbate the political situation. With politically connected suspects I prefer asking around about them, only questioning them directly when I've a fair idea of their answers. We won't approach without evidence of his involvement. Lesser adherents may prove more useful, if I can't find the individual I wish. Come.' He retreated down the street, before ducking down an alley, picking up speed as he approached the dead end. He ran up the wall, grabbed the edge of the single storey roof, and pulled himself up.

      After a moment's confusion, Adajo followed, running up the wall and taking Tsotu's hand. He stayed low, crouching next to the examiner.

      It was an affluent neighbourhood, whose roofs lay at a slight incline with tiles uniformly spaced and solid. At night the lights dotting the streets below offered little illumination, so Adajo saw only an unfamiliar and obscured landscape.

      He sensed Tsotu tense, and followed his gaze. Initially he distinguished little difference in the terrain. As his eyes adjusted he thought he saw faint movement a few rooftops away. Given the lack of a breeze, it wasn't something blowing.

      A shadow separated from the roof and darted away, completely silent.

      Tsotu darted after the fleeing shadow. Adajo followed.

      It took a couple of rooftops to acclimatise to running on tiles, by which point he'd lost the shadow. He still saw Tsotu, but the gap between them had widened. Seeing the examiner leap between rooftops, Adajo forced himself to move faster, gaining the momentum needed to follow. The tiles proved more reliable than expected, only the rare one sliding under him, and that not throwing him off too much. On cheaper roofs it could be different, but he began to accept these were safe.

      Adajo landed on the far roof, the brief surge of terror from the leap pushing him on as soon as he touched down. He spotted their prey running up the wall to the roof of a two storey building. The movement was too unnatural to not have involved invoking. He recalled a spirit known as the spider, its real name eluding him.

      Tsotu didn't try to follow directly, turning aside and leaping another gap, never slowing. Adajo had little choice but to follow, and soon caught sight of their prey leaping into a decorative garden which must belong to a high house. Tsotu followed without breaking pace, but Adajo slowed as he neared the edge, checking the descent. They must have leapt to the grass for a safe landing, but he grabbed the edge of the roof to ease his way down.

      Tsotu stood at the far edge of the lawn. The examiner stared at the area of blackness enveloping the corner of the garden. It took Adajo a moment to realise its darkness had little to do with night, not even allowing nearby light to penetrate it.

      The wall of blackness before them implied their prey had invoked the Hidden.

      While adherents devoted themselves to a single spirits, few even among the casual invokers did so. A farmer would invoke Trien, the spirit of agriculture to request his crops grow, or Kutan, the rainmaker, to ensure they didn't dry out. A fisherman may invoke Equinon, the spirit of rivers and sailing, to ensure calm water, or Tikel, the hunt master, to help catch their prey. How much aid the spirits gave was uncertain, any effect usually transitory, but most offered vague invocations so could hardly expect more than vague results.

      With explicit invocations, the spirits manifested as granted powers. This had become traditionally limited to those wearing masks, usually reflecting the symbol or colour of their favoured spirit. Masks had become synonymous with true invocations ever since the first known invoker, Grace of Spirits, had taught them to mortals.

      The adherencies had grown, and now wanted masks banned for the supplicants – their term for unaffiliated invokers. While masks offered no legal protection, and could be removed were the wearer found in violation of the Book of Law, tradition meant they obscured the wearer's social rank. This allowed adherents an easy path to political equality, one they didn't want to share with malcontents and misfits.

      Those not saddled by adherence to a single spirit could invoke any spirit, although frequent invocation could require communion with the spirit, especially if they also regularly invoked a spirit hostile to their patron. Failure could result in a curse, but that was rare. Most spirits

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